Bush by the Numbers

Posted by admin on January 18, 2009 under Environment, Internet, Politics, Science | Comments are off for this article

As we bid a fond farewell to George Walker Bush, here’s a sort of retrospective. A Bush by the Numbers if you will, excerpted from Harpers Index.

Days Bush was President: 2922
Days Bush was on Vacation: 964

Minimum number of Bush appointees who have regulated industries they used to represent as lobbyists: 98

Days since the federal government first placed the nation under an “elevated terror alert” that the level has been relaxed: 0

Minimum number of calls the FBI received in fall 2001 from Utah residents claiming to have seen Osama bin Laden: 20

Percentage of the amendments in the Bill of Rights that are violated by the USA PATRIOT Act, according to the ACLU: 50

Minimum number of laws that Bush signing statements have exempted his administration from following: 1,069

Number of all U.S. war veterans who have been denied Veterans Administration health care since 2003: 452,677

Estimated number of juveniles whom the United States has detained as enemy combatants since 2002: 2,500

Minimum number of detainees who were tortured to death in U.S. custody: 8

Minimum number of extraordinary renditions that the United States has made since 2006: 200
Percent of all U.S. income gains during the Bush Administration that have gone to the top 1 percent of earners: 75

Number of Republican officials who have been investigated by the Justice Department since 2001: 196
Number of Democratic officials who have been: 890

Percentage of EPA scientists who say they have experienced political interference with their work since 2002: 60

Percent of the five directors of the No Child Left Behind reading program with financial ties to a curriculum they developed: 80

Amount by which the federal government has underfunded its estimated cost to implement NCLB: $71,000,000,000

Rank of Bush among U.S. presidents with the highest disapproval rating: 1

Midnight Rules – Bush Does Not Go Quietly

Posted by admin on December 21, 2008 under Politics, news | Comments are off for this article

Bush is not going to leave office soon enough for most Americans, but before he goes he’s not quite done screwing up the country. Using a practice called “midnight rules” Bush is cramming through tons of last minute rules changes that have the force of law.

These rules run the gamut of nearly every federal agency. One of those rules could have wide ranging ramifications for every American who uses a pharmacy or visits a doctor or hospital.

Under Bush’s rule medical practitioners and pharmacists may refuse to perform medical practices, prescribe or dispense medication or even provide information, if it in any way conflicts with their religious beliefs. Want to buy a pack of condoms? Better hope the clerk’s not a Catholic.

Need a blood transfusion? Better hope the doctor’s not a Jehovah’s Witness, because they can now legally refuse to give you one.

Of course the big one is abortion. Fundamentalist Christian healthcare providers can now legally refuse to even discuss the options. Even worse anti-choice activists can infiltrate clinics taking any position from receptionist to nurse, then use the Bush ruling to deny service. Previous to the ruling those employees could be fired for that type behavior, but now they’re protected by the force of law.

While Obama can overturn these rulings, they’ll be challenged in court, bogging down the new administration and impeding progress.

Bush’s Huge Public Endorsement of McCain

Posted by admin on October 24, 2008 under Election 08, Humor, Politics | Comments are off for this article

“Picture my face, in the voting booth. A vote for McCain is a vote for George W. Bush.” Priceless.

Thank John McCain!

Posted by admin on September 20, 2008 under Election 08, Politics | Comments are off for this article

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJThPjvscFs
That clip was made by a private citizen on YouTube, and is the most powerful ad to come out yet by any candidate or PAC.